Croatia

Located in southeastern Europe, Croatia borders Slovenia, Hungary, Serbia, Bosnia and Herzegovina, and Montenegro, with a long Adriatic coastline and over a thousand islands. Zagreb serves as the capital and largest city. Croatian is the official language, and the currency is the euro, adopted in 2023. The country blends Central European and Mediterranean cultural traditions shaped by centuries of Venetian, Habsburg, and Ottoman influence.

Croatia is a member of the European Union and the Schengen Area, meaning citizens of most European and many other countries — including the United States, Canada, and Australia — may enter without a visa for short stays. Travellers from countries requiring authorisation should consult Croatia's official Ministry of Foreign Affairs or the EU visa portal for current requirements.

Dubrovnik's Old Town, encircled by intact 13th-century limestone walls, remains the country's most visited site. The Plitvice Lakes National Park in the Lika region features sixteen terraced lakes connected by travertine waterfalls. Diocletian's Palace in Split, a late-Roman imperial complex still inhabited and in daily use, anchors the city's old town. The island of Hvar offers a fortified hilltop castle above a Renaissance square. Šibenik's Cathedral of St James, a UNESCO-listed structure built entirely from stone without mortar, stands in the historic centre.

Croatia has two distinct climate zones. The Adriatic coast experiences a Mediterranean climate with dry, hot summers typically reaching 28–33 °C and mild winters around 5–10 °C. Inland and Zagreb follow a continental pattern with summers near 25–30 °C and winters that can drop to −5 °C or below. The coast is most visited from June to September; spring and early autumn offer quieter conditions and more moderate temperatures. Light layers are advisable even in summer for cooler evenings inland.

• Necktie (cravat) originates from Croatian 17th-century soldiers.
• Dalmatian dog breed takes its name from Dalmatia region.
• Marco Polo is claimed as a native of Korčula island.
• Croatia has eight UNESCO World Heritage Sites.
• Home to Europe's largest truffle-producing region, Istria.

• croatia.hr — official portal of the Croatian government
• mint.hr — Ministry of Tourism and Sports official site
• hzpp.hr — Croatian Railways (HŽ Passenger Transport) official site
• meteo.hr — Croatian Meteorological and Hydrological Service